Shooting down Bogeys…

Date: October 12, 2011

Author: Jenn

There is a scene in the beginning of the movie “Transformers” that strikes me every time. To set the scene, there is an unidentified aircraft approaching a military base, not responding to radio calls to identify itself. Friendly aircraft are surrounding the unidentified one in the air, reporting back to the military commander.

Commander: “Unidentified aircraft: You are in restricted airspace…”

Commander to friendlies/staff: “Bogey’s in the weeds, 10 miles out, not squawking…”

Commander to unidentified aircraft: “If you do not comply, we will use deadly force…” –from Transformers

In the real military world, an unidentified aircraft would never be allowed to land on a military base. in the movie, the unidentified aircraft lands, transforms to an evil Decepticon, and wreaks some serious havoc.

This scene reminds me of temptation. You know it is there. The time is right. There is silence in the air. It is temptation. you know the feeling–the breeze stops, the birds quit chirping, and the world goes silent.

You cannot yet see it, but you know it is there.

This pause is the time to act. Do not wait until the enemy is in sight. Do not allow it to land. It will not identify itself, waving a banner proclaiming “Temptation Coming! Temptation Coming!” (Could you imagine?!?) It will creep in as far as you will allow it to go.

And suddenly you are faced with the thing you knew was out there. Except you waited. You ignored the compulsion to use deadly force earlier. You allowed the temptation to get closer and closer. You convinced yourself that it just was not that big of a deal.

Do what the real military would do. Act when the bogey is ten miles out. How?

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sward, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” –Hebrews 4:12

Seeking the Word of God serves as a magnifier of our lives. The Word of God shows us God’s character, His holiness, and His will for our lives. And when we let it, it will easily slice through the temptations we face, exposing them for what they truly are: testimonies of death. Reading the Hebrews passage further, we see more clearly:

“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” –Hebrews 4:13

Magnifying the details of the situation makes it more clear what we should do. And sometimes, the approach is to verbally speak the mighty words of God into the situation.

“A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” –Proverbs 18:20-21

Defend your territory. Do not wait until the enemy is on base. Take care of business before you see its presence.

Next time the world goes silence in anticipation for the moment of decision, strike first.

The rules of engagement in war say do not fire unless fired upon. We are facing a whole different kind of war.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” –John 10:10 (NKJV)

In spiritual warfare, we do not need to try and interpret the enemy’s behavior. There are no hidden agendas. Three purposes drive his work: to steal, to kill, and to destroy. There is no other truth when it comes to the enemy.

“If you do not comply, we will use deadly force…” –from Transformers

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” –James 4:7 (NKJV)

Use the power at your disposal. Do not let the enemy land. Shoot down the bogey. Defend your territory.